Hi, I’m Kate Heeney.

A woman reading a colorful illustrated children's book about dogs and play in a park setting.

I’m a professional actor and performance artist with over a decade of experience creating bold, engaging theatre and creative content for adult audiences across Australia and internationally. My practice blends storytelling, humour, and character work with a focus on connection and out-of-the-box engagement—whether on stage, in workplaces, or in unexpected community settings. 

My current touring work, Once Upon A Wine…, is a grown-up parody of children’s storytime—serving up cheeky tales, a splash of wine, and light-hearted creative activities like mindful colouring (with an adult twist). It’s been presented to great success at the Red Earth Arts Festival in 2024 and 2025, with featured collaborations including Dean Misdale and Granny Flaps, and continues to prove popular with diverse audiences across regional and event settings.

Alongside my performance work, I also have experience producing and curating touring and festival content—skills I bring to creative collaborations and independent projects.

  • Wine Story Time featuring Granny Flaps

    Developed, Produced and Performance by Kate Heeney

    2025 – Red Earth Arts Festival

    Wine Story Time featuring Dean Misdale

    Developed, Produced and Performance by Kate Heeney

    2024 – Red Earth Arts Festival

    Oedipus the King by Sophocles with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    Toured: 2009 - Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Darwin & 2009 official opening of Alios Theatre, Iwaki City, Takiki Japan

    Shakespeare's Henry V with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    Townsville 2009

    3 Blokes & Their Barbies with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    2008 – Townsville

    Toured: 2009 Regional WA

    Love’s Labour’s Lost with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    2008 – Townsville

    Futz by Rochelle Owens with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    Toured: 2008 - Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Darwin & 2009 South Korea The Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

    Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    Toured: 2006 - Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Darwin

    Boston Marriage by David Mamet with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    2006 - Townsville

    The Beard by Michael McClure with Tropic Sun Theatre Company

    2005 – Townsville

Once Upon a Wine…

Following two sell-out appearances at Red Earth Arts Festival, Once Upon A Wine (formerly Wine Story Time) is ready to delight new audiences with its signature blend of nostalgia, wit and cheek.

Two women with glasses on a stage in front of black curtains, one standing and one sitting. The standing woman is in a purple checkered dress, holding papers, wearing a colorful necklace, and standing near a red chair. The seated woman is in a blue dress with a patterned apron, wearing a yellow headscarf and colorful socks, with a can of soda and a microphone on her table.

Once Upon a Wine…

A storytime for grown-ups. Now touring.

After two sell-out appearances at Red Earth Arts Festival, Once Upon A Wine (formerly Wine Story Time) is ready to delight new audiences with its signature blend of nostalgia, wit and cheek. 

This 1.5-hour event reimagines children’s storytime through an adult lens – hosted by the fabulously polished, ever-so-slightly inappropriate millennial librarian Kayteigh. Equal parts charming and audacious, Kayteigh guides her guests through cleverly crafted stories, playful throwbacks, and grown-up twists on childhood classics.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, book lover or just someone who appreciates a night of clever humour and connection – Once Upon A Wine offers a unique evening of surprise, laughter, and a touch of mischief. It’s not stand-up, it’s not theatre – it’s something deliciously in-between.

Perfect for a relaxed social evening, fundraiser or community event with a bit of bite.

Enquire now about bookings, commissions, or festival presentations.

Enquire Now
Audience members sitting at tables, clapping and smiling during a live event in a room with large windows, some holding drinks.
Two women smiling and embracing each other, one with white hair and pink glasses, the other with brown hair and black glasses, holding a pamphlet against a black background.
Two glasses of water, a small lamp, and colorful drawings or posters on a table in a dimly lit room.